Impulse transmitter



Feb. 8, 1938. L. KARDORFF IMPULSE TRANSMITTER Filed Sept. 27, 1935 fig. I.

Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IMPULSE TRAN SMITTEB.

Lon Kardol'fl, Brussels, Belgium, asslgnor m Inventor Trust S. A., Luxemburg, Luxemburg 7 Claims.

This invention relates to an impulse transmitting device to be used more particularly in the automatic telephone systems and comprising means permitting to send out groups of predetermined impulses.

Most of the apparatus of the above kind are provided with code controller discs having a certain number of teeth which are grouped together and which cooperate with electric contacts. Such apparatus require the use of discs having a relatively large diameter in view of the fact that the discs should be provided along their periphery with the number of teeth which is necessary for producing generally at least six or seven series of ten impulses, separated by hollows corresponding to the periods of rest.

In order to avoid the above drawback it has been proposed among others to use apparatus capable of transmitting a large series of impulses of which a few only are really transmitted by means of code controller discs which short-circuit certain impulses in order to compose the desired series.

In these devices, the members which emit the impulses and those which effect the short-circuits must operate in perfect agreement with each other. As however, one revolution of the code controller disc corresponds to about a hundred revolutions of the transmitting member, the code controller discs should be made with great precision, and this can be obtained with difliculty only in the practice; their manufacture and more particularly their fitting makes them very costly and fragile.

The present invention does away with the above drawbacks and allows of obtaining a device for transmitting impulses which has smaller dimensions, whilst reducing to a large extent the precision required in the manufacture.

The apparatus for transmitting impulses according to the present invention is characterized in that the formation of the impulses, transmitted by any suitable device, isinfluenced by a movable member having a profile or outline, the motion of the movable member being such that after a profile has acted to form a series of impulses, the movable member is placed again in a position similar to that at the beginning, for the formation of a new series of impulses.

The moving member'is constructed so as to have a profile consisting of one shape or of several identical shapes, the length of each shape being such as to correspond for a given speed to the duration of ten impulses followed by a certain period of rest.

On the other hand, the profile of the moving member is such that its portion which coincides with the transmission of ten impulses, has its various points progressively displaced relatively to each other.

The moving member has no influence upon the transmission of impulses except on a portion of its profile and this portion may vary. The length of this portion is determined-by the position of a. feeler which cooperates with a code member.

Use is made preferably as a moving member of a rotating member effecting a complete revolution for each of the digits of the number which is to be formed.

However, use may be made of a moving member having a profile consisting of several identical shapes, of which one complete shape is used for each digit which is to be formed. In this case the moving member will effect for each digit a fraction only of a revolution. The moving member may be a cylinder, or a cam, etc. It may form an element independent of the make and break device acting upon the contacts of impulses or it may act itself as a make and break device.

An alternating motion or an oscillating motion may be imparted to the feeler. The latter is displaced towards the code members which may be either parts of a circle or sectors, or rectilineal toothed members or cam members and may act along their height and not along their length, as was hitherto the case.

The code members may be arranged on a plate or on a ring or they may be distributed in groups upon several fittings. The latter may be fixed or they may be displaced by saccades underneath the feeler.

In order to make the invention well understood, an example of its carrying into effect will be given hereinafter, which is more particu larly applicable to the automatic telephone systerns.

Figs. 1 to 4 relate to an impulse transmitter for predetermined calls.

Figure 1 is a horizontal section made along the axis of an impulse transmitter comprising a rotating member having the shape of a cylinder and acting also as a make and break device with contacts of impulses.

Figure 2 is a vertical section made along the line X-X of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a development of the rotating cylinder.

Figure 4 is a section along the plane Z-Z of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows movable member having a profile with two identical shapes.

Figures 1 to 4 show an impulse transmitter in which the movable member consists of a rotating cylinder acting as a make and break device coacting with contacts of impulses. The said movable member effects a complete revolution for each figure of the number to be formed.

The apparatus comprises a cylinder I adapted to rotate around its axis and on which are placed the names corresponding to predetermined numhers of telephone calls. The cylinder l rotates between a rear plate 2 and a front plate 3, the latter being provided with a pointer 4 opposite which may be brought any of the names marked along the generating lines of the cylinder I. Between the plates 2 and 3 is fitted, along the axis of the apparatus. a shaft 5 which carries toothed wheels 6 and 1 which gear respectively with other toothed wheels 8 and 9, the wheel 8 being secured upon an intermediary shaft l whilst the wheel 8 is integral with a sleeve H capable of rotating freely around the shaft ID.

The wheel 8 is integral with a ratchet wheel l2 coacting with a pawl l3 which is integral with a box l4 containing a spring l5 secured on the one hand to the box and on the other hand to the shaft l0. At the end of the shaft I0 is arranged a, handle [6 adapted to place the spring l5 under tension.

On the other hand, the sleeve 1 l adapted to rotate freely around the shaft [0 is integral with a toothed wheel I! gearing with another toothed wheel I 8 mounted at the end of a sleeve l9 adapted to rotate freely around the shaft 5 and integral with a movable member having the shape of a cylinder and provided at its periphery with ten teeth 2| made of an insulating material and angularly displaced relatively to each other and spaced by intervals 22 (see Fig. 3). A portion 23 without teeth connects the tenth tooth to the first tooth.

The cylinder 20 comprises also a path 25 having a certain number of horizontal portions 2 connected with each other by means of inclined planes 21 (Fig. 3). The path 25 acts as a guide to an arm 28 carried by a member 29 adapted to slide along an axis 30 secured to the rear plate 2. The member 29 is connected by means of arms 3| to a sliding block 32 which may be displaced along an axis 33 parallel to theaxis 20 and also mounted on the rear plate 2. The member 29 and the sliding block 32 are subjected to the action of springs 34 and 35.

Along the arms 3| are adapted to slide two supporting members 36 made integral with one another by means of a connecting piece 31 engaging between the arms ll of a double fork 22 (see Fig. 2) of which the other end is provided with arms 40 coacting with a projection 41 integral with a sleeve 42 mounted on a fixed shaft 43. The sleeve 42, and therefore the projection 4|, are capable of an angular displacement around the shaft 41, due to the action of an arm 44, the end 45 of which bears against a cam 48 mounted on the shaft 5. The said cam has a certain number of straight portions 41 connected with each other by means of inclined planes 48.

One of the supporting members 24 carries a feeler 49 coacting with code members I having the shape of toothed blades arranged around the movable member 2|. The said oode members 5|] are maintained inside supports 8| which are integral with the outer cylinder I. Impulse contacts 52 and 53 are mounted on a support 54 (Fig. 2) which is integral with the member 29. The device is completed by a speed regulator and by starting and stopping means, not shown in the drawings.

The apparatus works as follows:

When a number is to connected, the corresponding name marked on the cylinder I is brought opposite the pointer 4 by rotating the cylinder. This rotation brings the corresponding code-member within reach of the feeler 49.

When the cylinder I has occupied the desired position, a pressure is exerted on the handle I6, which has for its effect to tension the spring l5. Whilst the pressure is exerted, the pawl l3 slides on the ratchet wheel 12. When the handle 16 has been released, the spring l5 which expands, carries with it the box [4 in a movement of rotation and the pawl I3 presses the ratchet wheel [2 and the toothed wheel 8 which is integral with it, thus causing a motion of the toothed wheel 6 and consequently of the shaft 5 and cam 46.

On the other hand, the toothed wheel 1 causes a rotation of the cylinder 20 which may be made of an insulating material, through the intermediary of the toothed wheels 9, l1 and II. The rotation of the cylinder or movable member 20 has for its effect to free the arm 28 which at rest is situated upon the highest portion of the path 25. Under the effect of the springs 34 and 35 the feeler 49 rests against the first tooth of the code-member chosen. The height of the teeth of the code members 50 is such that the feeler 49 allows the impulse contacts 52 and 53 to be influenced only by a given number of teeth of the movable member 20 corresponding to the number whichis to be formed. As soon as the teeth of the movable member act upon the impulse contacts, the arm 26 rests upon the path 25 and follows the horizontal portions 28 and the inclined portions 21 of the path until it is brought back to the starting position.

Whilst the movable member 20 has eflected a complete revolution, the cam 46 has been displaced through a fraction of a revolution only. The end 45 of the arm 44 has followed the horizontal portion 41 and the inclined plane 48 and is brought to the next horizontal portion. The displacement of the arm 44 acts through the projection 4| .upon the fork 30 which displaces the supports II by sliding them along the armsil. The feeler 49 comes thus opposite the next tooth of the code member I and the device works in a similar manner for the next revolutions of the movable member 24.

It is obvious that the modes of construction shown in the accompanying drawing have been given only by way of example. Concerning more particularly the movable member which effects a complete stroke for each digit to be formed, it is clear that use may be made of other devices, for instance of a rack or other member having an alternating motion.

On the other hand. it is powble by means of a few small modifications, to interchange the movable members shown by way of example in the mode of construction, or even to make them rotate in a direction opposite to that shown in the drawingifthespacecomprisedbetweentne first and the last horisontal portion has made inclined.

What I claim is:

1. An impulse transmitter comprising in combination a cam-like member of invariable profile moving continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group of impulses, means coacting with the cam-like member for producing impulses, codemembers corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses, and a feeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam-like member and having a stroke which is limited by the code-member so as to vary the number of impulses of each group, as set forth.

'2. An impulse transmitter comprising in combination a. cam-like member of spiral-shaped profile mo ng continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group of impulses, means coacting with the cam-like member for producing impulses, code-members corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses, and a ieeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam-like member and having a stroke which is limited by the code-member so as to vary the number of impulses of each group, as set forth.

3. An impulse transmitter comprising in combination a cam-like member of cylindrical shape the side surface of which is cut in a stepped way approximately along a helix, moving continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group 0 impulses, means coacting with the cam-like member for producing impulses, code-members corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses. and a feeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam-like member and having a stroke which is limited by the codemember so as to vary the number of impulses of each "group, as set forth.

4. An impulse transmitter comprising. in combination a cam-like member having an invariable profile with teeth, said cam-like member moving continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group of impulses, contacts acted upon by the said teeth for producing impulses, code-members corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses, and a feeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam-like member and having a stroke which is limited by the codemember so as to vary the number of impulses of each group, as set forth.

5. An impulse transmitter comprising in combination a cam-like member of invariable profile moving continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group of impulses, means coacting with the cam-like member for producing impulses, codemembers arranged around the same axis as the cam-like member, said code-members corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses and a feeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam-like member and having a stroke which is limited by the code-member so as to vary the number of impulses of each group, as set forth.

6. An impulse transmitter comprising in combination a cam-like member of invariable profile moving continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group of impulses, means coacting with the cam-like member for producing impulses, code-members corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses, a feeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam-like member and having a stroke which is limited by the code-member so as to vary the number of impulses of each group, and means for varying the number of rotations of the cam-like member, as set forth.

7. An impulse transmitter comprising in combination a rotating cylinder with a name index marked on its outer surface and containing a cam-like member of invariable profile moving continuously and in such a manner that its position is analogous for the same digit of each group of impulses, means coacting with the camlike member for producing impulses, code-members driven by the said rotating cylinder and corresponding to a given number of groups of impulses, and a feeler moving with an alternating motion imparted by the cam -like member and having a stroke which is limited by the codemember so as to vary the number of impulses of each group, as set forth.

LEON KARDORFF. 

